Handy Bag Pattern

This handy bag will serve equally well as a handy container for knitting and crocheting • to carry small things back from the market • the plain crochet center is made just like a hot plate mat • the colored rings are in Puff Stitch.

Size approximately 12 inches diameter—3 inches between the sides. Both the diameter and the depth may be increased if wanted.

The original in Red, White and Blue required 3 balls Enterprise Yarn in Dark Blue (286) and a ball each of Red (228) and Cream White (206).
Steel Crochet Hook No. 3.

START AT CENTER: With Blue ch 5, sl st to first st for ring.
ROW 1: Ch 3, attach running thread here to carry at back of work, for ten rows. Draw up slightly as work progresses to make firm heavy stitch, — 11 sc in ring. Sl st to ch-3 (12 dc).
ROW 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in space between each dc, around. Sl st to ch-3 (24 dc).
ROW 3: Ch 3, dc in first space, dc in next, (2 dc in next, dc in next) repeat around. Sl st to ch-3 (36 dc).
ROW 4: Ch 3, dc in each of first 3 sps, (2 dc in next, dc in next 2 sps) repeat around. Sl st to ch-3 (48 dc).
ROW 5: Ch 3, dc in first 4 sps, (2 dc in next, dc in next 3) repeat around. Sl st to ch-3 (60 dc).
ROWS 6 to 10 inclusive: Continue in same manner, adding 12 dc in every row, having 2 dc in each row over the 2 dc of previous row. Cut running thread. Fasten off. Center is now approximately 6" diameter.
ROW 11: With wrong side of work up, attach white with sc to either dc, * 2 dc in next st, holding final loop of each dc on hook, thread over and pull thru all 3 loops on hook at once (1 puff st made), sc in next sc, pulling it down tight, — letting the puff st puff out on back of work, which will be the outside of bag. Repeat from * around. Sl st to sc.
ROW 12: Ch 1, turn, sc in puff, sc in sc, (2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts) repeat around (149 sc). Sl st to first sc.
ROW 13: Ch 1, turn, puff st (ps) in last sc, (sc in next sc, ps in next) repeat around. Sl st to ps.
ROW 14: Ch 1, turn, (sc in sc, sc in ps) around (148 sc). Sl st to ch-1.
Repeat Rows 13 and 14 twice. Join Red and work same as Row 11. Then repeat from Row 12 to complete 28th row of Side. Circle should now measure 12". Make another Side in same way.
ROW 19: With Red, work same as Row 11.
ROW 20: Ch 1, turn, 1 sc in next 8 sts, (2 sc in next, sc in next 9 sts) repeat around. Sl st to ch-1.
ROW 21: Same as Row 13. Then repeat Rows 20 and 13.
ROW 24: Ch 1, turn, sc in next 5 sts (2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts) repeat around. Sl st to ch-1. Repeat Rows 13 and 20. Fasten off. Circle should now measure 12 inches in diameter. Make another piece to cor­respond.

FOR INSET BETWEEN SIDES: With Blue ch 18, sc in second st from hook (dc in next st, sc in next) repeat across.
ROW 2: Ch 2, turn, dc in last sc, (sc in next dc, dc in next sc) repeat across.
ROW 3: Ch 1, turn, (sc in last dc, dc in next sc) repeat across. Repeat Rows 2 and 3 alternately until 102 rows in all are complete. Work should be made firm and measure about 3 inches wide and 24 inches long.

HANDLE: With Blue ch 12 and work as inset for 108 rows.

FLOWERS: With Red, ch 6, sl st in first st to form a ring, * ch 6, 3 tr in sixth st from hook, holding final loop of each tr on hook, thread over and thru all 4 loops on hook at once for a cluster, ch 3, sl st in cluster for a p, ch 6, sl st at base of cluster, 1 sc in ring. Repeat from * 4 times (5 petals). Fasten off. Make 2 more flowers.

STEMS: With White, ch 25. Fasten off. Make 3 stems.
Ch 60 in White for Bow. Fasten off.
Sew flowers and stems to center of one circle and attach bow around stems as illustrated. Press or block each piece on wrong side before assembling. Line bag if wanted—cut material for sides and inset, allow­ing for seams and sew together.
Sew sides and inset together—inside out; do not draw or pucker when sewing. Handle is sewn to center of top edges—midway between ends of inset. After sewing, pad handle and line if wanted. Slip lining over bag—pin, then sew around top and turn right side out.